GLBT Resource Center

—————University of Missouri—St. Louis, One University Boulevard—St. Louis, MO 63121—————

Office of Student Life—Millennium Student Center—Room 384

Phone: (314) 516-5013      Email:  prizm@umsl.edu
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RESOURCES FOR GAY, LESBIAN, BISEXUAL, & TRANSGENDER PERSONS AND THEIR ALLIES

AT THE UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI—ST. LOUIS

Enriching Lives Through Diversity

“All are welcome at my table” - Ralph Waldo Emerson

COLLEGE CAN BE TOUGH ENOUGH… for any student.  For students who are beginning to question their sexual orientation, or who are establishing their identity as gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, or queer individuals, college can be even more difficult.  The same can be true for those who are already “out” and are members of a gay community.  A large college campus is a whole new world… a world which can feel intimidating.  As members of a largely invisible minority culture, GLBT student often yearn to see themselves reflected on campus.  Sometimes, we all need to seek out a place where we “fit” on campus.  We need to have a sense that we are appreciated, and that we are wanted on campus.  We need to feel that we belong here…

                 In order to serve the needs of a broad gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, and allies community on the campus of the University of Missouri-St. Louis, the GLBT & Allies Resource Center was formally established in 2005.  In conjunction with other campus entities including the Campus Safe Zone Project and PRIZM, the UM-St. Louis GLBT Student Alliance, the Center promotes a positive learning environment for all students at the University.  The Center further fosters a cosmopolitan milieu which is open, accepting, and affirming of the diversity inherent in a large, urban campus of the twenty-first century.  While the focus of the GLBT & Allies Resource Center remains foremost on the needs of sexual minorities and their allies, the Center strives to promote holistic multicultural sensitivity, and to affirm the dignity and worth of all members of the campus community.

THE GLBT & ALLIES RESOURCE CENTER

THE ROSE ARCHIVES

                 In the 1990’s a small collection of works focused on gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender issues was maintained for the benefit of the campus by Dr. Suzanna Rose, a professor in the Division of Psychology.  Following the departure of Dr. Rose, this collection of privately held books was donated to the campus GLBT Student Alliance, which curated the collection until the creation of the GLBT & Allies Resource Center.  This modest but growing archive is currently maintained as a collection strictly focused on GLBT studies, issues, and literature, in a fashion similar to the renowned collection at the University of Minnesota—Twin Cities.  Such a collection facilitates scholarly and secular research by concentrating GLBT related literature into one easily accessible archive.  The archive holding are available to all members of the campus community, and may be checked out with proper identification.  Donations to the archive in the form of books, magazines, periodicals, videos and DVDs, cultural artifacts, and art are always welcome.

LAVENDER READING ROOM

The Lavender Reading Room is maintained by the Center as a campus safe space.  Here, all persons are invited to learn more about GLBT culture, history, and literature.  Selections from the Rose Archives are displayed in the room at all times, with special displays of art and cultural / historic material from the Rose and other archives featured on a rotating basis.  The room is also used by the Center, PRIZM, and Safe Zone for meetings and campus events.

DIVERSITY ROW

The Center publishes Diversity Row, a quarterly newsletter featuring news and information of interest to members of the GLBT communities and their allies.  While published “quarterly,” the newsletter often features special issues in conjunction with campus or community events.  This free publication is easily identifiable by the trademark lavender paper upon which it is printed, in recognition of the historical significance of this color for GLBT individuals.  Persons interested in making submissions to Diversity Row are welcome to contact the Director of the GLBT & Allies Resource Center, editor of the newsletter.

CAMPUS AND COMMUNITY AWARENESS PROGRAMS

                 Because sexual orientation is not ready discernible, gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender persons are members of a largely invisible minority.  Contrary to some misconceptions, this relative invisibility actively contributes to the continued social and political inequality for GLBT persons.  Further, GLBT persons who find no reflections of themselves or their cultures on a university campus are subject to greater attrition.  Conversely, retention of GLBT student, staff, and faulty is enhanced when a GLBT community is visible on campus.

                 The GLBT & Allies Resource Center actively promotes the campus GLBT communities and their allies, and strives to enhance the visibility of the community and the culture.  In order to achieve these goals, the Center has established a Campus & Community Awareness Program.  This Program is responsible for raising awareness related to GLBT persons, culture, and history.  The means for raising awareness include, but are not limited to, the following:

¨ Campus bulletin boards featuring material related to the GLBT communities.

¨ Poster Displays on campus for National Coming Out Day, Hate Crimes Awareness Week, World AIDS Day, Transgender Awareness Day, GLBT educational, and other events.

¨ Ad campaigns in The Current* promoting diversity and GLBT equality.

¨ GLBT Film Fests featuring a variety of GLBT movies and documentaries.

¨ Diversity Mixers, social events open to all which occur on a regular basis.

¨ Nationally recognized GLBT speakers bringing affirming messages to campus.

¨ At least one week of programming for Hate Crimes Awareness and World AIDS Day.

¨ A large display of the AIDS Memorial Quilt, co-sponsored with PRIZM.

¨ Frequent information tables in the MSC.

¨ Booths at campus Mirthday and Expo.

¨ A permanent display of free GLBT resources, including information on coming out, hate crimes, same-sex domestic violence, safer-sex, legal issues, and more.

¨ A permanent campus website.

¨ Entries in the UMSL, Mardi Gras, and Pride parades.

GLBT COLLEGE CONFERENCES AND EVENTS

The GLBT & Allies Resource Center actively seeks to promote UM-St. Louis as a host campus for GLBT research and education, bringing nationally recognized GLBT college conferences and events to campus.  The Center invites nationally accredited GLBT groups to consider UM-St. Louis as the site for upcoming meetings, conferences, and research symposia.

SPEAKER’S BUREAU

                 In conjunction with other campus entities, the Center facilitates a campus Speaker’s Bureau.  This panel of student, faculty, and/or staff volunteers is available to speak on select issues relevant to GLBT and ally issues, cultures, and communities.  Upon request, members of the panel will visit classrooms or other locations, and will present in a variety of educational settings.  The purpose of the Speaker’s Bureau is to help raise awareness related to GLBT persons and their issues, to share accurate information regarding these persons and their cultures, and to debunk stereotypes and misconceptions related to members of sexual minorities.  The Speaker’s Bureau is monitored by the Center in order to ensure continuity, thus making it easier for interested faculty, administrators, and staff members to draw upon an ever-present educational resource whenever they may find need.

*Please click on the link located in the “Related Links” section

RESIDENCE HALL PARTNERSHIP

                 In response to the needs of the growing number of students living on campus, the Center has established a collaborative effort with the university Residence Halls.  This initiative seeks to respond to the needs of GLBT residents and their allies, and to help promote a residential environment which is open and affirming of diversity.

Please visit the GLBT & Allies Resource Center in the Millennium Student Center in the Office of Student Life or call (314)516-5291 for more information.